Act One, Scene 4

This is the fourth scene of my play, A Sword Unsheathed, originally written in French and translated into English for publication on the blog. If you haven’t yet read the first scene, you can find it here. You can find all the scenes published so far on this page. The original French version of this scene is found at the end of the post. (Read in French.) Please read the historical note here.

BENJAMIN HUGER, plantation owner, about 35 years old
FRANCIS HUGER, his son, about 7 years old
ALICE, Francis’s cousin, about 16 years old
GILBERT DU MOTIER, the Marquis de Lafayette, about 19 years old

The dining room of the house. The same evening. Everyone is seated around a large table, dining, Gilbert in the center, Benjamin to the left, Alice to the right, Francis between Gilbert and Alice. Dishes are spread all along the table. A candelabra. Wine.

GILBERT: … and then, I finally met Mr. Deane in Paris in December. It is thanks to him that I have the pleasure of spending this evening with you.

BENJAMIN: Ah yes, our ambassador to the court of your king is a gentleman gifted in diplomacy. I’ve never met him, but his reputation precedes him.

GILBERT: He represents your people with both the wisdom of a grand vizier and the passion of young revolutionary.

BENJAMIN: He nevertheless has an enormous task at the moment, does he not? It seems that His Majesty is not yet ready to provide us with all that we need to defeat the British.

GILBERT: It is true that His Majesty is not yet convinced of your cause, but I believe that he will be. Unfortunately, he does not act with the speed one would like. In the meantime, we will continue the struggle and hope that the Crown’s actions will become … (He takes a bite.) … less ambiguous. (He lifts his glass.) That the King will soon see the justice of your cause.

BENJAMIN (adds): … of our cause.

GILBERT (nods):Yes, of our cause!

(Everyone raises his glass to the toast. Cheers.)

ALICE (after a short pause): Monsieur le Marquis, um, excuse me … Gilbert … what is your opinion of our chance of success? We have been fighting now for more than two years and the end is nowhere in sight. (She lowers her eyes.) And there have already been so many deaths.

GILBERT: I have every confidence in America, mademoiselle. It is true that the King of England is at the head of the largest army in the world. It is true that he has a bottomless treasury, as well as the means to manufacture armaments that do not even exist in America, but his soldiers do not fight for the rights of Man. That will make a great difference in this epic battle between Tyranny and Liberty. (a short pause) And the British do not have a General Washington. (He smiles.) And that will also make a great difference in this battle, I assure you. (a short pause) I am anxious to meet him upon my arrival in Philadelphia.

BENJAMIN: You are right, Gilbert. Soldiers such as General Washington are rare. By the way, are all thankful for the aid that you bring us, and I am certain that the General and Congress will welcome you warmly. Moreover, once you have seen the capability of our army and our militias, and the passion with which our soldiers fight for the liberty of our country, you will be able to testify to those facts at the king’s court. That will do much to move His Majesty to our side.

FRANCIS: Papa was once in the army, sir.

GILBERT:Yes, I knew that, Francis. Your father was decorated for valor in combat, if I’m not mistaken.

BENJAMIN: That’s correct. I was a captain during that war that you, the French, call “the Seven Years’ War” or the “the War of the Conquest.” Here, though, we named it for you and for our native neighbors: “the French and Indian War.” It was a bloody affair.

GILBERT: But you no longer wear a uniform, Benjamin?

BENJAMIN: No. I once wore the uniform of my country, which … is no longer my country, it seems. It’s a reality that has been difficult to accept these last two years. Today, well … precisely, Gilbert, I no wear uniform: neither red, nor blue. (He hesitates.) For the moment …

GILBERT: I well understand your position, Benjamin. But, in my opinion, the time will come. The time always comes, does it not?

FRANCIS (worried):But … you’re not going to war, Papa ?

BENJAMIN. No, no. Don’t worry, son. I’m going to stay here a tranquil planter for as long as they let me. Anyway, you need me, right? I could never leave you, not even to fight the mean “Brit’nish.” (He smiles at Francis, looks at Gilbert.) Evidently, I know not how much time I have left, but I have every intention to remain with my family for a long time …. (He looks at Alice and again at Francis.) … for as long as possible.